Podcast Summary
Episode Overview
Podcast: Soder
Host: Dan Soder
Guest: Russell Howard
Episode: 68: “My Brother’s UTI with Russell Howard”
Release Date: February 11, 2025
This lively and genuinely funny episode features comedian and writer Russell Howard as he joins Dan Soder for a deep-dive into the intricacies of stand-up comedy, fatherhood, cultural quirks, internet culture, and the unique bonds formed through family and friendship. The conversation swings between personal anecdotes, sharp observations about evolving comedy scenes in the US and UK, and warm, irreverent humor on everything from childhood gaffes to British nursery rhymes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Comedy’s Social Icebreakers & Childhood “Bombs”
- The two comedians open up about failed social jokes and the universal experience of thinking you’re funnier than the room thinks you are.
- Dan shares an early memory of making an out-of-turn joke about someone’s nose as a kid, learning the hard way that not every audience is receptive (02:21).
"That's why you've got a big nose!"
– Dan, recounting his first big childhood bomb (03:00)
2. Fatherhood and Instant Love
- Russell discusses the pure, instinctive love from his eight-month-old son, likening it to the bond between homeless people and their dogs.
- Both riff on how babies smile for no reason and children’s evolving senses of humor (04:07–05:40).
3. Children with Accents & “Old Soul” Kids
- Comedic take on why British kids always sound wise to Americans, and how little cultural nuances make even the silliest things like "poop" sound sophisticated in other languages (06:41–08:18).
"British little kids all sound like old souls... you hear a kid with a British accent, you’re like, I bet that kid knows more than I do."
– Dan (06:57)
4. Internet Comments, Public Horniness & Comedy Marketing
- The rise of public, bizarrely horny comments on social media—especially under attractive women's content. Dan observes that as the internet matures, this behavior will (hopefully) die off (09:35–11:41).
"I think we live in the golden age of horny public comments."
– Dan (10:04) - They lament the era where comedians must market themselves online, sometimes at the cost of craft, and how humility doesn't help sell tickets today (17:28–19:02).
5. Originality, Comedy Gatekeeping, and Recurring Themes
- Both comedians mourn the death of creative gatekeeping—now anyone with marketing savvy (but not necessarily comedic talent) can rise fast, sometimes recycling old premises.
"Now clubs are like: can you sell? Can you move units?... I think humility killed off in any field... humility does not sell tickets."
– Dan (17:28–18:12) - Russell references Gary Shandling's and George Carlin’s philosophies: it's about being more yourself—putting your own filter on well-worn themes (22:42–26:00).
6. Sibling Bonds, Family Roasts & British Darkness
- Russell shares stories about his brother’s merciless (and hilarious) timing, especially their "UTI Christmas" when his brother chimed in unprompted: "And ugly" (58:38).
- Both agree that siblings provide a sounding board and mutual protection during family absurdities.
"When someone has the courage to be pointlessly mean for the sake of it, just for the joke—there’s something to that."
– Russell (58:40)
7. Dark Nursery Rhymes and the Empire’s Legacy
- A deep-dive into the origins of British nursery rhymes (“Three Blind Mice” as a murder ballad) and cultural comfort with darkness.
"If you analyze that, you’re singing this to a sleeping baby... Three blind mice see how they run... who cut off their tail with a carving knife..."
– Russell (38:45–39:14)
8. National Differences in Culture, Sports, and Food
- Dissecting the madcap paradoxes of America (homeless man outside a dog hotel; glorying in “monster truck rally” culture, etc.).
- Dan asserts: "America is the world’s monster truck rally" (42:22).
- Russell correlates US tribalism and marketing with pop culture ("Trump is the dip of America" 43:27) and describes the uniquely tribal nature of British football fans versus US sports fans (46:40–49:10).
9. Comedy as Therapy & Classroom Trials
- Both reflect on using humor to not feel “crazy"—for Dan as an only child in a one-parent home, comedy was his way to stay sane and make connections at school.
"My favorite thing in the world was getting kicked out in the hallway—because it meant I was killing."
– Dan (61:16) - Russell and Dan agree: great teachers see the difference between a genuine troublemaker and a witty kid needing an outlet (62:13–62:38).
10. Stand-Up, Specials, and the Ever-Changing Scene
- Russell discusses filming his 8th special at the London Palladium (72:31), the unique challenges of taping in arenas vs. theaters, and the thrill of performing in New York/overseas.
- Comparisons with comics like Nate Bargatze, Chappelle, and Bill Burr about how to “play the room” authentically (74:00–74:31).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Social Media Horniness
- "It's a forever thing that fell out of your horny mouth."
– Dan (11:09)
On Sporting Chants
- "If Arsenal was playing Manu... Arsenal fans would be singing ‘Does she take it up the ass?’ non stop.”
– Russell, on British football chants about Beckham (48:08–48:16)
On Gatekeeping & Comedy Quality
- "Now it's, how good is your car commercial? Now clubs are like, can you sell? Can you, can you move units?"
– Dan (31:58) - "The whole point of stand up is to come for the jokes."
– Dan (51:03)
On Sibling Timing
- "And ugly." (in response to a question about their aunt’s health)—pricelessly dry British family timing.
– Russell’s brother (58:38)
On Childhood Comedy
- "It's not even our animal." (6-year-old Russell, cleaning his sister's rabbit hutch)
– Russell (60:12)
On Stand-Up Brotherhood
- "That's the cool thing about the brotherhood, Sisterhood of stand up. When you see somebody, like, oh, that person's hilarious. I want to be that person's friend."
– Russell (78:25)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Icebreakers, Social Bombs, Childhood Jokes: 00:51–03:37
- Fatherhood — Baby Smiles & Comedians as Dads: 03:49–05:49
- British vs. American Kids; Linguistic Comedy: 06:07–08:18
- Internet Public Horniness and Comedy Marketing: 09:35–18:12
- Originality & Recurring Comedy Themes: 22:42–26:00
- Darkness in British Culture: 38:35–40:13
- America’s “Monster Truck Rally” Identity: 42:22–44:25
- Siblings, Family Roasts, UTI Christmas: 58:38–61:22
- Comedy as Survival in Childhood and School: 61:06–62:55
- Filming and Releasing Comedy Specials: 72:31–75:09
- Stand-Up Community & British/American Scenes: 78:25–79:46
Episode Tone & Final Thoughts
The discussion is infectiously playful, loyal to both comedians’ observational wit and willingness to poke fun at themselves and their countries. Russell and Dan's rapport is easy, warm, and quick, with each riff building off the other’s stories—making the episode a must-listen for fans of either comic or anyone interested in the inside world of stand-up across cultures.
For more, check out Russell’s new special (now streaming) and dive into his extensive library of previous specials. As Dan says toward the end:
“That’s a great way to start friendship—mutual respect. Oh yeah, I love what you do.” (79:16)
For more info and links to Russell’s latest special:
Check the episode description or visit Russell Howard's official website.